Cannons Host Barrage Thursday July 22
Published on July 21, 2004 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
(Boston, MA â July 21, 2004) The Boston Cannons (7-1) of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) host the Philadelphia Barrage (3-5) this Thursday July 22 at 7:30PM at Boston University's Nickerson Field. Thursday's game is Boston's first home weeknight game of the 2004 season. Thursday's game also marks the second time in three weeks the Cannons will play host to the Barrage. Philadelphia played at Nickerson Field on Saturday July 10, losing to the Cannons 20-18. After a 0-3 start the Barrage have turned things around, winning 3 of their last 5 games including an 18-17 win over Long Island on July 15. The Cannons won their last game 18-17 in overtime at Rochester on July 17. The win clinched the Cannons fourth straight playoff berth.
"Philadelphia is playing as well as anyone right now," said Scott Hiller, Cannons head coach. "They are a dangerous and hungry team. We cannot rest on the fact that we have already clinched a playoff berth. We want to ensure the top seed in the playoffs. We also do not want to give a team like the Barrage any extra momentum heading into the post season."
The Cannons win on Saturday gives them seven total for the 2004 season, matching a franchise high for wins in a season. The Cannons were 7 and 7 in 2002 and 7 and 5 in 2003. The win over Rochester was Boston's second of the 2004 season, giving the Cannons their first ever season sweep of the Rattlers.
Cannons goaltender Kevin O'Brien and attackman Michael Watson were both given MLL Weekly Awards for their efforts on Saturday. O'Brien was named the MLL Defensive Player of the Week. He tied the MLL record for saves in a game with 33 against the Rattlers. O'Brien made several spectacular one-on-one saves, including a point blank stuff of Casey Powell with just 20 seconds remaining in the game, preserving the tie and sending the game to overtime. This is O'Brien's first ever MLL Weekly Award.
"Late in the game, there's always a time when a goalie needs to make a big save," said O'Brien. "I just try to put my team in the best position to win. That is my job."
"It is a great honor to win the award," O'Brien continued. "It makes it all the better that it came after a game in which we clinched making the playoffs."
Watson was named the MLL Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. Watson scored six goals and had an assist for seven total points on Saturday. Watson scored five goals in the Cannons July 10 win over Philadelphia, leading to his first career MLL Offensive Player of the Week award. He was named the Bud Light MVP in both games. Watson's 11 goals in the last two games have moved him into third place on the 2004 MLL goal scoring list. His 23 goals puts him three off the pace.
The Barrage enter Thursday's game boasting the MLL's best rookie. Ryan Boyle, the second overall pick in the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft, has already recorded 23 points (17 assists) in just four games. He has been named the MLL Cascade Rookie of the Week three of the last four weeks, including for his efforts this past week. He has recorded at least five points in each game of his MLL career.
This Thursday's game begins at 7:30PM with coverage on the Boston Cannons Web Radio Network Presented by New Balance starting at 7:15PM. Members of the media planning to attend Thursday's game should contact Jason Chandler (617-746-9933) before noon on Thursday to secure credentials and parking. The Cannons will provide media outlets with a complete post game write-up immediately following the game's conclusion.
Cannons Game Nine Notes:
Boston's 7 and 1 start to the season is the best in franchise history. It is still two wins shy of the MLL mark for best start. Long Island was 9 and 1 in 2002... A win over the Barrage on Thursday would clinch the season series against Philadelphia. Boston has won the season series against Long Island and Rochester already this season. The Cannons have never lost a season series to the Barrage... On the strength of his 3 goal, 4 assist performance last Saturday, Conor Gill has increased his lead in the MLL points and assists race. Gill lead the league in both categories with 50 points and 29 assists... The MLL Bud Light Skills Competition took place at halftime of the Long Island vs. Philadelphia game on Thursday July 15 at Villanova Stadium in Philadelphia. David Evans won his third straight Bud Light Fastest Shot contest. He shot 109mph, breaking his old record of 108... The third annual Boston Cannons Mascot Game takes place at halftime of Thursday's game featuring Boomer the Cannon as well as mascots from the Celtics, Bruins, Revolution and more.
ABOUT THE CANNONS AND MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE:
The Boston Cannons, of Major League Lacrosse, feature the best lacrosse players in the world. The Cannons play their home games at Boston University's Nickerson Field, Boston, MA. The Cannons play a seven game home schedule that began Saturday May 22, 2004 with a thrilling 17-16 win over Long Island in front of a team record 6,312 fans at Nickerson Field. The Cannons played their first road game of the season at the Baltimore Bayhawks on May 27, 2004, winning 22-21. For more information on all of the fast-paced, hard-hitting excitement of Boston Cannons Lacrosse visit www.bostoncannons.com or call 888-847-9700.
Major League Lacrosse, a six-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Enterprises, and partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; and Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001 with teams in Baltimore, Boston, (Bridgeport) Connecticut, Long Island, (Bridgewater) New Jersey and Rochester. The 2003 MLL season began on Saturday, May 31 and concluded with the League's Championship Weekend at Villanova Stadium, Friday-Sunday, August 22-24, with the Long Island Lizards defeating the Baltimore Bayhawks in a thrilling 15-14 overtime New Balance Championship Game victory. League information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 21, 2004
- Major League Lacrosse Names David Gross First Commissioner - MLL
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- Cannons Host Barrage Thursday July 22 - Boston Cannons
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